Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Wallace of Saltaire (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 10 January 2012.

Work Foundation

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what public monies were paid to the Work Foundation in the past three years; what are its registered charitable objectives; and whether its staff are able to become members of a public sector pension scheme.

Answer: Information on total public monies paid to the Work Foundation in the past three years is not held centrally. However, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) paid the foundation £43,125 in February 2010 and Lancaster University for the Work Foundation £41,125 in December 2010. The foundation was acquired by Lancaster University, on 21 October 2010. The university is a charity which is exempt from registration with the Charity Commission under the Charities Act 1993 and 2006. Its principal regulator is the HEFCE. Prior to its acquisition by the university, and before its removal from the register of charities, the Work Foundation's charitable objectives were: to promote the industry and commerce of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Europe in particular (but not so as to limit the foregoing) by improving management and industrial relationships. The Government do not hold information on the eligibility of staff to become members of a public sector pension scheme.

Secondary information